The Three Kingdoms, Volume 1: The Sacred Oath: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation

by Luo Guanzhong

  All fear was swept away. Soon after, Xiahou Dun and his staff arrived and they were presented to the Emperor who cordially addressed them.

  Then another large army was found to be approaching from the east. At the Emperor’s command Xiahou Dun went to ascertain their identity. He soon returned to say that they were Cao Cao’s infantry.

  In a short while Cao Hong and his officers came to pay their respects to the Emperor.

  Cao Hong said: “When my cousin heard of the approach of the rebels he feared that the first batch of officers and men he had sent might be too weak, so he sent me to march quickly and reinforce them.”

  “He is indeed my trusty general,” said the Emperor.

  So orders were given for them to escort the Emperor in advancing forward. By and by scouts came to report that the rebels were coming up very quickly. The Emperor bade Xiahou Dun divide his force into two parts to oppose them. So the army threw out two wings with cavalry in front and foot behind. They attacked with great ferocity and the rebels were utterly overwhelmed. The Emperor was then asked to return to Luoyang and the army encamped outside the city.

  Soon Cao Cao came with his great army and after setting up camp he went into the city to seek an audience with the Emperor. He knelt at the foot of the steps but was allowed to stand before the Emperor and be thanked.

  Cao Cao replied, “Having been the recipient of great bounty from the state I have always longed to repay it with my services. The two rebels have committed countless crimes and their days are numbered. I have an army of 200,000 soldiers who are fully equal to destroying the rebels and securing the safety of Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will put the interests of the state first and take good care of your health.”

  High honors were then conferred on Cao Cao, who then resumed his battle with the rebels.

  Knowing that Cao Cao had traveled far, Li Jue and Guo Si planned to attack his army while it was fatigued from its long march, but their advisor Jia Xu was opposed to this.

  “No, this will not do. Cao Cao has valiant officers and brave soldiers. The only way is to surrender so as to seek pardon for the wrongs you have committed,” said Jia Xu.

  Li Jue was very angry at his suggestion and accused him of disheartening the army. He drew his sword to slay him but the other officers inter-ceded and saved Jia Xu. That night, Jia Xu stole out of the camp all by himself and went home to his native village.

  Soon the rebels decided to offer battle. In reply, Cao Cao sent out three warriors with a small company of horsemen to dash into the rebel army three times before forming the battle array. Then two nephews of Li Jue rode out. At once from Cao Cao’s side dashed out Xu Chu, and in a moment one of them was cut down. The other was so startled that he fell out of his saddle. He, too, was slain. The victor rode back to his own side with the two heads. When he offered them to his master, Cao Cao patted him on the back and said, “You are really my most valiant warrior!”

  Next there was a general advance, Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren leading the two wings and Cao Cao commanding the center. They advanced to the roll of the drum. The rebels fell back before them and fled. Sword in hand, Cao Cao himself led his army in pursuit. Many were killed and many more surrendered. Li Jue and Guo Si flew toward the west in panic, like dogs from a falling house. Having no place of refuge they took to the hills and became robbers.

  The army returned and camped again outside the city. Yang Feng and Han Xian said to one another, “This Cao Cao has done a great service and he will be the man in power. There will be no place for us.” So they told the Emperor that they wished to pursue the rebels and under this excuse withdrew to camp at Daliang.

  At Cao Cao’s camp an envoy of the Emperor came to summon him to the palace. Cao Cao noticed that the man looked remarkably well and could not understand why, since everyone else looked hungry and famine-stricken. So he asked, “You look very well, sir—how come?”

  “Only this—I have been a vegetarian for thirty years.”

  Cao Cao nodded. “What office do you hold?” he asked the envoy.

  “Well, I used to serve under Yuan Shao but I came here when the Emperor returned. Now I am one of the secretaries. I am a native of Dingtao and my name is Dong Zhao.”

  Cao Cao rose from his seat and said, “I have long heard of your name. How happy I am to meet you!”

  Then wine was brought into the tent and Xun Yu was called in and introduced. While they were talking a messenger came in to report that a small force was moving eastward. Cao Cao was about to order the man to find out whose men these were when the visitor said, “They are Yang Feng and Han Yi, running off to Daliang because you have come.”

  “Do they distrust me?” said Cao Cao.

  “They are no strategists, unworthy of your attention.”

  “What about this departure of Li Jue and Guo Si?”

  “Tigers without claws, birds without wings, will not be able to escape from your grip very long. They are not worth thinking about.”

  Cao Cao saw that he and his guest had much in common, so he began to consult him on state affairs.

  Dong Zhao said, “You, sir, have swept away the rebellion with your noble army and have become the mainstay of the throne, an achievement comparable to the five lords in the Zhou Dynasty. But the officials will look at it in very different ways and not all favorably to you. I think you would not be wise to remain here and I advise a change of capital to Xudu in Henan. However, it must be remembered that the Emperor, after the long exile, had only recently returned to the capital and the attention of all the people is concentrated on Luoyang, hoping for a period of rest and tranquillity. Another move will displease many. But the performance of extraordinary service may mean the procurement of extraordinary achievement. It is for you to decide.”

  “That is exactly what I have been thinking!” cried Cao Cao, smiling and seizing his guest’s hand. “But are there not dangers? What about Yang Feng at Daliang and the court officials here?”

  “That is easily managed. Write to Yang Feng and set his mind at rest. Say plainly to the officials that there is no food in the capital here and so you are going to another place where there is no problem of scarcity. When the high-ranking officials hear this they will approve.”

  Cao Cao was so pleased with his advice that when his guest took leave he held his hand once more and said gratefully, “I am indebted to you for whatever success I may accomplish.”

  Dong Zhao thanked him and left. Cao Cao secretly discussed the change of capital with his advisors.

  Now a certain official named Wang Li, who was a student of astrology, said to a friend: “I have been studying the night sky. Since last spring there have been signs in the movements of the stars indicating that a new ruler will emerge. The aura of the Hans will soon be exhausted and prosperity will rise in the districts of Jin and Wei.”*

  He also presented to the Emperor a secret memorial which said: “The Mandate of Heaven has its course and the five elements† are out of proportion. ‘Earth’ is attacking ‘Fire’ and the successor to the empire of Han is in Wei.”

  When Cao Cao heard of his sayings and the memorial, he sent someone to warn the astrologer. “Your loyalty is well known, but the ways of Heaven are past finding out. The less said, the better.”

  Then he asked Xun Yu to expound the meaning of the astrologer’s words. The advisor said, “The element of fortune for the Hans is ‘fire;’ yours is ‘earth’. Xudu is under the influence of ‘earth’ and so your fortune depends on getting there. ‘Fire’ can produce ‘earth,’ as ‘earth’ can multiply ‘wood.’ These agree with what Dong Zhao and the astrologer have forecast and you have only to bide your time.”

  Xun Yu’s explanation helped Cao Cao make up his mind. The next day at court he said, “The capital is deserted and cannot be restored, nor can it be supplied easily with food. Xudu is a prosperous city, standing close to a fruitful district. It is everything that a capital should be. I venture to request that the court move there.”<
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  The Emperor dared not oppose and the officials were too in awe of Cao Cao to have any independent opinion, so a day was chosen for the journey. Cao Cao commanded the escort and the officials all followed. When they had traveled some distance they saw before them a high mound and from behind this arose the beating of drums. Then Yang Feng and Han Xian came out and barred the way. In the forefront stood Xu Huang, who shouted, “Cao Cao, where are you taking the Emperor?”

  Cao Cao rode forth to take a good look at the speaker and was quite struck by Xu Huang’s powerful physique. He ordered Xu Chu to go and fight him. The combat was ax against broadsword and the two men fought more than half a hundred bouts without advantage to either side. Then the gongs sounded and Cao Cao drew off his men.

  In his camp a council was called. Cao Cao said, “Yang Feng and Han Xian are nothing but Xu Huang is a fine officer and I was unwilling to use force against him. I want to win him over to our side.”

  At this moment, an officer called Man Chong said, “Do not let that trouble you, sir. He is an old acquaintance of mine. I will disguise myself as a soldier this evening and steal over to the enemy’s camp to talk to him. I promise I will persuade him to submit to you willingly.”

  That night Man Chong, in disguise, got over to the other side and made his way to the tent of Xu Huang, who sat there by the light of a candle. He was still wearing his coat of mail. Suddenly, Man Chong appeared in front of him and saluted to him. “You have been well since we parted, old friend?” he asked.

  Xu Huang stood up in surprise, gazed into the face of the speaker a long time, and then said: “Are you Man Chong of Shanyang? How come you are here?”

  “I am an officer in General Cao’s army. I saw you in front of the army today and I wanted to have a word with you. So I risked my life to come here.”

  Xu Huang invited him to sit down. Then Man Chong said, “There are few warriors as bold as you on the earth. Why then do you commit yourself to such people as Yang Feng and Han Xian? My master is the most prominent man in the world, a man who respects the wise and appreciates the valiant, as everyone knows. Your valor today won his entire admiration and so he took care that the attack was not too fierce for you. Now he has sent me to invite you to join him. Why don’t you leave darkness for light and help him in his magnificent cause?”

  Xu Huang sat for a long time, pondering over the offer. Then he said with a sigh, “I know my masters are doomed to failure, but I have all along followed their fortunes and do not like to leave them.”

  “But you know the fine bird selects its tree and the wise servant chooses his master. He who meets a worthy master and lets him go is a fool.”

  “I am willing to do what you say,” said Xu Huang, rising to thank him.

  “Why not put these two to death as a gift for an audience with General Cao?” suggested Man Chong.

  “It is very wrong for a subordinate to slay his master. I will never do that.”

  “You are really a true man.”

  Then Xu Huang, taking only a score or so horsemen with him, left that very night to desert to Cao Cao. Soon the news was reported to Yang Feng, who, at the head of a strong company of horsemen, set out to capture the deserter. He called out to him to come back.

  But when Yang Feng was getting near he was ambushed. Suddenly the whole mountainside was lit up with torches and out sprang Cao Cao’s men, he himself being in command. “I have been waiting here a long time. Do not try to run away,” he cried.

  Yang Feng was terrified and attempted to draw off but was quickly surrounded. Han Xian came to his rescue and a confused battle began. Yang Feng succeeded in breaking through but Cao Cao kept up the attack on the disordered army. A great number of their men gave in and the two leaders found they had too few men left to continue the battle, so they escaped to seek shelter at Yuan Shu’s place.

  When Cao Cao returned to camp the newly surrendered man was presented and well received. Again, the cavalcade set out for the new capital. In due time they reached it. Soon after that great construction work began. They built palaces and halls as well as an ancestral temple, an altar, and public offices. The city walls were repaired, storehouses were built, and all put in order.

  Then came the rewards. Here Cao Cao exercised full power. Every reward or punishment, if any, was based upon his sole decision. Thirteen were raised to the rank of nobility. He himself was made the Grand Commander and Lord of Wuping. His important advisors filled high offices and his warriors became generals and high-ranking officers. All good service received full recognition.

  Cao Cao became the leader of the court. All memorials went first to him and were then submitted to the Emperor.

  When state matters were in order a great banquet was given in his private quarters to all his advisors and officers, and affairs outside the capital were the subject of discussion. Cao Cao said, “Liu Bei has his army at Xuzhou and he carries on the administration of the prefecture. Lu Bu fled to him when defeated and Liu Bei gave him Xiaopei to live in. If these two agreed to join forces and attack us, my position would be most serious. What good plan do you have to destroy them?”

  Xu Chu rose and said: “Give me 50,000 men and I will present their heads to you.”

  Xun Yu said, “You are brave, but you are no strategist. The new capital has just been established and we cannot start another war. However, there is a certain tactic known as “the Rival Tigers.” Liu Bei has no decree authorizing him to govern Xuzhou. You, sir, can procure one for him and so confer upon him the right to administer the district. When you send the decree you can enclose a secret note telling him to get rid of Lu Bu. If he does, he will have lost a vigorous warrior from his side and he could be dealt with as the occasion arises. If he fails then Lu Bu will slay him. Either way, they will wrangle and destroy each other. This is the Rival Tigers tactic.”

  Cao Cao agreed that this was a good plan, so he petitioned for a formal appointment, creating Liu Bei a general and a lord, fully authorized to govern Xuzhou. He then sent the decree to Liu Bei together with a secret note.

  By that time Liu Bei had heard of the change of capital and he was about to offer his congratulations when an imperial messenger was announced. He at once went outside the city gate to welcome him. The decree was reverently received and a banquet was prepared for the messenger.

  The messenger said, “This decree was obtained for you entirely through the effort of General Cao.”

  Liu Bei expressed his gratitude to Cao Cao. Then the messenger offered his secret letter. After he had read this Liu Bei said, “This matter has to be further considered.”

  The banquet over and the messenger conducted to his lodging, Liu Bei at once called in his men to discuss the letter.

  “Lu Bu is a bad man,” said Zhang Fei. “What does it matter if we kill him?”

  “But he came to me for protection in difficulty. How can I put him to death? That would be bad, too.”

  “It’s not easy to be a good man,” replied Zhang Fei.

  Liu Bei would not consent. The following day when Lu Bu came to offer congratulations, he was received as usual.

  “I have come specially to felicitate you on your receipt of the imperial bounty,” said Lu Bu.

  Liu Bei thanked him in due politeness. Just then he saw Zhang Fei rush into the hall, drawing his sword to slay Lu Bu. He hastily interfered and stopped him.

  Lu Bu was surprised and asked, “Why do you want to kill me?”

  “Cao Cao says you are treacherous and tells my brother to kill you,” shouted Zhang Fei.

  Liu Bei shouted again and again to him to go away. After he left, Liu Bei led Lu Bu into the inner hall, where he told him the whole story and even showed him the secret letter. Lu Bu wept as he finished reading.

  “This is Cao Cao’s scheme to sow discord between us,” he said.

  “Don’t be anxious,” said Liu Bei. “I pledge never to commit such an infamous crime.”

  Lu Bu repeatedly expressed his gratitude and L
iu Bei treated him with wine. They remained talking and drinking till late.

  After Lu Bu left, his two brothers asked, “Why didn’t you kill him?”

  Liu Bei said, “This is Cao Cao’s plot. He fears that Lu Bu and I may attack him so he’s trying to separate us and make us ‘swallow’ each other, while he steps in and takes the advantage. Do you think I should fall into his trap?”

  Guan Yu nodded assent, but Zhang Fei added, “I still want to get him out of the way lest he should trouble us later.”

  “This is not what a noble man should do,” said his eldest brother.

  Soon, the messenger returned to the capital with a letter of reply from Liu Bei. The letter only said that it would take some time to carry out the plan. But the messenger told Cao Cao how Liu Bei would not kill Lu Bu.

  “The plan has failed—what next?” asked Cao Cao.

  Xun Yu replied, “I have another tactic, called ‘the Tiger and the Wolf,’ in which the tiger is made to gobble up the wolf.”

  “Let us hear it,” demanded his master.

  “Send someone to Yuan Shu to spread the rumor that Liu Bei expresses his wish to subdue the southern districts in a secret petition to the Emperor. Yuan Shu will be very angry and attack him. Then you will order Liu Bei to dispose of Yuan Shu and so set them destroying each other. Lu Bu will certainly think that is his chance and turn traitor. This is the Tiger and the Wolf tactic.”

  Cao Cao found this a good scheme and did as he was advised. When Liu Bei received the false edict from Cao Cao that ordered him to capture Yuan Shu, he related it to Mi Zhu, who pronounced it a trick.